After falling to their first loss of the season last weekend, Yoogali SC will be looking to rediscover their form heading into finals when they take on ANU in Wagga on Sunday.
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It will be no easy task this weekend taking on a side who are pushing for a spot in the top four heading into finals.
"They have won four games on the bounce, and if they win this week then they will be our opponent next week," Yoogali SC coach Luke Santolin said.
"We should be super motivated because this is almost like our first finals game. We need to be up for it."
Some of the squad in the Yoogali side played ANU last year in the FFA Cup as part of the Riverina Rhinos side, and Santolin is using the knowledge gained from that outing to prepare for this weekend's match.
"They had some smart midfielders all of their players could take the ball in any position, and they seemed to like to come out playing from their fullbacks," he said.
" We will have to be tight in the way that we slide in defence to nullify the spaces. I'll be more focused on what we can do and trusting that that will be strong enough to win us the game.
"There were a couple of little tweaks and adjustments to our shape and formation that the boys have been receptive to. Last night (Tuesday) training was good, and we will aim for another sharp session on Thursday.
"They are proud players, and they will be looking to atone for last week's disappointing result."
With Queanbeyan not playing this weekend, the Yoogali side has wrapped up the minor premiership, but Santolin said he is focused on achieving the bigger prize.
"It will be a small feather in the cap but winning the grand final is the ultimate," he said.
"Regardless of what is at stake, we want to win every game we play in. It is a must-win for a number of reasons."
In a welcome inclusion, Joe Preece will return to the side after missing the loss to Weston Molonglo with a back injury.
"You can't coach his energy and aggression, and he will slot straight back in," he said.
"We will be looking to him to be leading from the front with the quality of player that he is."
Meanwhile, the under 23s will have their work cut out for them when kick off the action at 11.45am with ANU sitting at the top of the ladder while first grade will follow at 2pm.
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Liam Warren
As someone with an underlying passion about sport it is a privilege to report on the sporting landscape around the MIA
As someone with an underlying passion about sport it is a privilege to report on the sporting landscape around the MIA
